What does it take to be a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week? It's not just about grades or athletic ability. It takes a well-rounded individual that excels in the classroom and the community.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Dakota News Now have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. "Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week" has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. For more information on the program please call your local Touchstone Energy cooperative.
If there are outstanding seniors in your school that you would like to recognize, please nominate them here.
This Week's Scholar
Ashlyn Koupal
Wagner High School
Ashlyn will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, December 15 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, December 16 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Daniel Woodraska
March 18, 2007 - March 24, 2007
- School
- Kimball High School
- GPA
- 4.104
- Activities
- FBLA Officer, Student Council, Student Body President, Class Officer, Basketball stats and video, School Mascot, Play, Band, Golf, National Honor Society
Daniel Woodraska is from Kimball, SD.
Jentre Olsen
March 11, 2007 - March 17, 2007
- School
- Platte Community School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Jentre is active in band and chorus as well as basketball and track. He has been a class officer and involved in National Honor Society.
Jentre Olsen is from Platte, SD.
Sarah Knippling
March 4, 2007 - March 10, 2007
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Drama Club, Youth to Youth, Variety Show, Volleyball, Girls' State, Show Choir, FCCLA
Sarah Knippling is from Gann Valley, SD.
Emma Erickson
February 25, 2007 - March 3, 2007
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School
- GPA
- 4.106
- Activities
- 4 Year Band Member; Student Council Representative; Soccer Team; State B Track Champion, State Champion; 3-Time State B Cross Country Champion; Basketball Team; 4-H; School Play; Sunday School Teacher
Emma Erickson is from Gayville, SD.
Brett Monson
February 18, 2007 - February 24, 2007
- School
- Webster High School
- GPA
- 4.083
- Activities
- Student council, FB, Basketball, Track, choir, band, NHS, Key Club, FFA.
Brett Monson is from Webster, SD.
Darin Schmidt
February 11, 2007 - February 17, 2007
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Semi-finalist National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society, Student Council (4 years - includes many service programs, i.e. food drive, homecoming preparation, etc.), Jazz Band (4 years), Band (4 years), Vocal (4years), Football (3 years), Basketball (2 years), Track (4 years), Oral Interp (1 year), Twenty hours of community service through Saint Joe's Catholic Church, Altar server, Lector server, Cantor server, and will be employed as a teacher-assistant in the spring semester.
Darin Schmidt is from Elk Point, SD.
Shawna Knutson
February 4, 2007 - February 10, 2007
- School
- Irene High School
- GPA
- 3.7
- Activities
- VB - 9,10,11,&12 (lettered the last 3 years)1st Team All-Conf. & 1st Team All-Region - 12; BB - 9,10,11,&12 (lettered the last 3 years); Track - 9,10,11, - lettered all 3 years; Participated in summer softball league - 8 years; FCCLA - 9 & 10; Instrumental Band - 9,10,11,&12(lettered the last 3 years); Academic Letter Award - 10,11,&12; Class Officer - all 4 years; Student Body President - 12; National Honor Society - 11 & 12; 'A' Honor Roll - 9,10,11,&12; A+ Student Award 10; Wendy's High School Heisman Local Nominee; Helped with and organized numerous community service projects through her church, FCCLA and the Irene H.S. Student Council.
Shawna Knutson is from Utica, SD.
Mica Olson
January 28, 2007 - February 3, 2007
- School
- Mitchell Christian School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Starter on State B basketball championship team, volleyball team captain, track, senior class president, school Bible study leader
Mica Olson is from Forestburg, SD.
John Hommes
January 21, 2007 - January 27, 2007
- School
- Central Lyon Comm. School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Cross Country, Track, Band, Quiz Bowl
John Hommes is from Rock Rapids, IA.
Dan Rohlf
January 14, 2007 - January 20, 2007
- School
- Brandon Valley
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- theater, oral interp, tennis, quiz bowl, church youth group president, National Merit Semi-finalist, National Honor Society, Senior Class treasurer, US Senate Youth Program, Boys State delegate and house majority leader,
Dan Rohlf is from Sioux Falls, SD, SD.